Anthocyanin Metabolite and Transcriptome Sequencing Analysis Reveals White Flowers in Rhododendron dauricum var. albiflorum

Rhododendron dauricum is a cold-hardy shrub integrating ornamental, medicinal, and aromatic functions. Flower color an important feature related to ornamental value for breeders consumers. Nevertheless, the coloration mechanism of flower in R. still unclear. var. albiflorum white variety dauricum. In this study, integrative analysis metabolome transcriptome was conducted between A total nine anthocyanins two proanthocyanidins were differentially accumulated decrease malvidin-, delphinidin-, cyanidin-, peonidin-, petunidin-based increase procyanidin A2 B2 responsible flowers albiflorum. Furthermore, 4376 expressed genes (DEGs) identified using sequencing. Integrated showed that 21 DEGs encoding 9 enzymes (PAL, C4H, CHS, CHI, F3H, F3′5′H, DFR, ANR, UFGT) as structural involved anthocyanin proanthocyanidin biosynthesis, 15 MYBs 10 bHLHs transcriptional regulators biosynthesis pathways Our results deepen understanding variations azalea color, which helpful identifying genetic engineering shrubs.